Hundreds join search for missing teenager Gaia Pope

Search parties scoured areas around Swanage near where 19-year-old was last seen.

Gaia Pope has now not been seen for 11 days.
PA

Hundreds of volunteers have joined a search looking for missing teenager Gaia Pope.

Search parties scoured areas around Swanage near to where the 19-year-old was last seen 11 days ago.

Ms Pope's father, Richard Sutherland, joined volunteers and thanked them for their efforts on Saturday.

Police have launched a murder investigation as they piece together Ms Pope's movements.

The search comes after investigations arrested and released a 49-year-old man, the third such person after a 19-year-old man and 71-year-old woman were detained before being let go.

Volunteers scour a search area near to Swanage.
PA

On Thursday clothes belonging to Ms Pope were found on open land south of Swanage near some cliffs.

Thanking volunteers for their help on Saturday, Mr Sutherland said at Durlston Country Park: "I just want to say a massive thank you for coming out. It is very heart warming and the support gives us a lot of hope."

The mass searches were organised by the Find Gaia group on Facebook.

On Friday, the teenager's mother said that she believed "miracles can happen" as she urged people to keep looking.

The last reported sighting of Gaia was at an address in Manor Gardens in Morrison Road, Swanage, at around 4pm on November 7. She was wearing a red checked shirt with white buttons, grey and white woven leggings and white trainers.

Address Why do we need this?Type your full postcode and select your addressThis field is required.It doesn't look like you've entered a valid postcode.Can't find your address? Confirm the details you've given us are correct by clicking here

Now that you've joined STV, we'll be able to send you email updates about STV's programmes and services. If you don't want them, please tick this box.

LocationPlease tick this box to confirm that you are a resident of the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man.This field is required.

Parental ConsentPlease tick this box to confirm that you have received consent from a parent or guardian in order to complete this form and submit your vote.This field is required.

That's you. All that's left is to click the 'Submit Vote' button below. By doing so, you confirm that you and your parent or guardian have read and accept our Voting Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Cookie policy, and that the details you have entered are correct. We'll look after them as carefully as if they were our own.